Chevrolet Cavalier - Opinions Please~?

Question

Hi I am a 20 year old student and my neighbor is selling her
'98 chevy cavalier. I have heard mixed things about this car but I really just need something to get me from point A to point B over the next 4 years. Do you think these cars are ok? I can get it for $3000. it's a Z24 sports model (2 dr, full loaded, automatic, auto car starter, etc) with low kms. Any input on the cavalier is appreciated!

Answer 1

I would pass on that deal.

Answer 2

The Cavalier is a so called entry level car. This means it is cheap to buy, and therefore not exactly top quality. That being said there are lots of them out there, and they can be good basic transport.

To me 3 grand for a 98 sounds a bit steep unless it is in super excellent shape. I would spend an afternoon at the library and start by checking out that model in Consumer Report etc. to see how it ranks for reliability.

I drive a 2001 Toyota Corolla, and while more expensive to fix than a similar North American car they almost never break.

Getting back to the Cavalier, if it breaks in a serious way you can get good parts from an auto wrecker quickly and at 50% of new. If this car is in cherry shape with low mileage it would likely last 4 years. Regardless of what you buy, change your oil at least every 5000 Km, and keep good rubber under you unless you want to crash and maybe die.

Lots of people will recommend getting a compression test done one a used car you intend to buy. I recommend getting a tune up/maintanence service package done at a dealership on the car, in your case GM. This is cheaper than a safety check and will let you know what is wrong with it, and how well the car has been maintained in the past. On oil change at many places also includes a brief inspection, which may not tell you much, but costs about 50 bucks or less and beats spending thousands you will regret.

You may be able to get the seller to at least partially finance a tune up and service package, and if they act weird about the idea even if you offer to pay I would say bye and look for another car.
If you do go for the tuneup idea do not tell the dealer anything, and be sure to firmly decline any repairs that may be necessary.

Good luck shopping, Phil aka adventureboy

Answer 3

I own a 1992 Chevy Cavalier Z24 clone 2.2L 5 speed. I love my car to death. It has 180,000 miles on it, has been about 50,000 of those miles, and the only thing wrong with it is a leaky fuel injector. I would definitely recommend the 2nd gen cavys as a great car to anyone, as for the 3rd gens, i would say they are pretty good too, but they look like a bubble.

Answer 4

Yeah thats an okay car, but if I had a choice then id want to get something more newer, like a 01, they have more defined lines and better resale value, something that most Chevrolets lack. You could also get it for a cheaper price, $3000 sounds kinda steep. Although here in Canada you could get a 00 Cavalier for that price, just research your options before choosing.

Answer 5

It is a good car. I currently own 2 General Motors products. A 1995 Grand AM and a 2000 Malibu. They can last very long if well cared for.

But this is a 10 year old car, so don't expect it to be like new. With any car this old, domestic or foreign, it is a crap shoot. It could last you several years, it could quit next month.

Answer 6

I have a cavalier and it's just fine. It really all depends on how well you take care of the car.

Answer 7

I think that $3,000 for a 10 year-old Cav is a little steep.
You also say "low km's," in a car like that I wouldn't call anything over 120K "low km's."

Offer her $2,300 and be willing to go as high as $2,500 and not much if anything higher.

Answer 8

Personally like them. As with any car there are problems that come up periodically, but with regular service they can be avoided or found before becoming costly.

Answer 9

i actaully own a 98 cavalier, great cars for a long time. mine had 130,000 mles on it and it still runs like brand new, i get 35 mpg with mine. never had any major problems. you should definately buy it =)